Method and composition for improving male fertility health

ABSTRACT

L-carnitine, an amino acid, improves sperm quality and motility. Ferulic acid, an antioxidant found in Dong quai, also improves sperm quality. Sperm are highly susceptible to free radical or oxidative damage from environmental toxicants and natural aging. Vitamins C and E, green tea, and selenium are all potent antioxidants that help improve overall reproductive health. Zinc and B vitamins (B6, B 12 and folate) are critical nutrients in male reproductive systems for hormone metabolism, sperm formation and motility.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This is a continuation-in-part of Application 09/742,412 filed Dec. 22, 2000.

[0002] Because of delayed child bearing, unhealthy diets and use of tobacco, caffeine, alcohol and drugs and environmental contaminants, difficulties in conceiving have been experienced.

[0003] Needs exist for pharmaceutical compounds that improve fertility in men.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] This invention provides combinations of bioeffecting compounds for promoting fertility in men. The combinations include nutritional components that benefit fertility health. All the components have been studied separately, to determine their individual efficacy. The invention provides the first products to put these components together synergistically in men's formulations.

[0005] As many as 15% of couples in the U.S. have difficulty conceiving a child. In about one third of these cases, it is the man that is infertile; in another third, the female has fertility issues. The remaining is due to a combination of male and female fertility issues, or unknown causes. In many of these cases, causes of infertility are treatable. In almost 90% of the cases of low sperm count in men, the cause cannot be determined. Smoking and caffeine, drug and alcohol consumption, environmental toxicants, and stress are related to infertility in men. Reproductive organs are highly susceptible to free radical or oxidative damage from environmental toxicants and natural aging. A balanced, nutritional diet, and nutritional supplements with high antioxidant content can help reverse some of that damage. Other nutrients such as L-carnitine, B vitamins and zinc are critical to sperm formation and metabolism.

[0006] These and further and other objects and features of the invention are apparent in the disclosure, which includes the above and ongoing written specification with the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] The invention provides combinations of beneficial bioeffecting compounds for promoting fertility in men. The invention provides a scientifically validated herbal/nutritional blend for men to improve fertility health by helping to improve sperm quality, count and motility. The combination of amino acids, herbs, vitamins and minerals improves overall health and helps with many of the deficiencies that decrease fertility.

[0008] The invention provides combinations of beneficial bioeffecting compounds for promoting fertility in men. Sperm are highly susceptible to free radical or oxidative damage from environmental toxicants and natural aging. Vitamins C and E, green tea, and selenium are all potent antioxidants that help improve sperm counts and quality. Ferulic acid, an antioxidant found in Dong quai, also improves sperm quality. Zinc and B vitamins (B6, B12 and folate) are critical nutrients in male reproductive systems for hormone metabolism, sperm formation and motility. The amino acid, L-carnitine, promotes formation of healthy sperm. L-carnitine fumarate is preferred. L-carnitine tartrate may be used.

[0009] The invention provides synergistic action of the combinations. Preferably, the distinct combinations are taken by both members of a couple in which the female age is between 21 and 46 (women's formula in patent application 09/742,412). The distinct combinations are useful for couples who have tried for 6 months or more, up to three years, to become pregnant without success. Preferably, patients take 2-4 capsules per day of the distinct formulas for three months.

[0010] Preferred ranges of the combinations considered in percent by weight are:

EXAMPLE 1

[0011] Components Minimum % Maximum % L-carnitine 40 70 Ferulic acid in Dong Quai 0.1 10 Vitamins C and E 10 40 Green tea 1 20 Selenium 0.01 1 Zinc 0.1 10 B Vitamins 0.001 1

EXAMPLE 2

[0012] Components Minimum % Maximum % L-carnitine 20 80 Ferulic acid in Dong Quai 0 20 Vitamins C and E .01 40 Green tea 0 30 Selenium 0 3 Zinc 0 15 B vitamins 0 5

[0013] An example of useful formulations in percent by weight is:

EXAMPLE 3

[0014] Components % Weight L-carnitine 50.4 Dong quai (.190 ferulic acid) 8 Vitamins C and E 23 Green tea 17 Selenium 0.1 Zinc 1.3 B Vitamins 0.2 100%

[0015] While the invention has been described with references to specific embodiments, modifications and variations of the invention may be construed without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the following claims. 

I claim:
 1. A pharmaceutical composition having fertility promoting activity in males, comprising in combination components in effective amounts of antioxidants, including green tea, vitamin C, vitamin E or selenium, L-carnitine, ferulic acid in Dong quai, vitamins B6, B12, folate and zinc.
 2. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the components are present in the proportion in parts by weight of: about 5 to 50% antioxidants, including green tea, vitamin C, vitamin E or selenium, about 10 to 80% L-carnitine, an amino acid, about 0 to 1% ferulic acid in Dong quai, about 0 to 1% vitamins B6, B 12 and folate about 0 to 10% zinc.
 3. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the components are present in the proportion in parts by weight of about 20 to 50% antioxidants, including green tea, vitamin C, vitamin E or selenium, about 40 to 80% L-carnitine, an amino acid, about 0.01 to 1% ferulic acid in Dong quai, about 0.003 to 1% vitamins B6 and B12, and folate about 1 to 10% zinc.
 4. A pharmaceutical composition having fertility promoting activity in males comprising in combination components in effective amounts of the following components present in proportions in parts by weight of: about 5 to 50% antioxidants, including green tea, vitamin C, vitamin E or selenium, about 10 to 80% L-carnitine, an amino acid, about 0.01 to 1% ferulic acid in Dong quai, about 0.01 to 1% vitamins B6, B12 and folate, about 0.1 to 10% zinc.
 5. A pharmaceutical composition having fertility promoting activity in males comprising in combination components in effective amounts vitamins C and E, selenium, ferulic acid, zinc and B vitamins.
 6. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 5, further comprising in combination with the other components an effective amount of L-carnitine fumarate.
 7. A pharmaceutical composition of claim 6, wherein the components are present in the proportion in parts by weight of about 20 to 80% L-carnitine fumarate, about 5 to 30% vitamins C and E, about 1 to 30% green tea, about 0.001 to 1% selenium about 2 to 20% Dong quai, about 0.1 to 2% zinc, and about 0.001 to 1% B Vitamins.
 8. A pharmaceutical composition of claim 6, wherein the components are present in the proportion in parts by weight of about 20 to 80% L-carnitine fumarate, about 5 to 30% vitamins C and E, about 0.1 to 30% green tea, about 0.001 to 1% selenium, about 2 to 20% Dong quai, about 0.1 to 2% zinc, and about 0.001 to 1% B Vitamins.
 9. A pharmaceutical composition of claim 5, wherein the components are present in the proportion in parts by weight of about 10 to 80% L-carnitine about 5 to 50% vitamins C and E, about 1 to 30% green tea, about 0.001 to 1% selenium, about 0.2 to 20% Dong quai, about 0.1 to 5% zinc, and about 0.001 to 1% B vitamins.
 10. A pharmaceutical composition of claim 5, wherein the components are present in the proportion in parts by weight of about 50% L-carnitine, about 23% vitamins C and E, about 8% Dong quai, about 2% zinc and B vitamins, and about 17% green tea.
 11. A new supplement for enhancing male fertility health, comprising antioxidants, green tea, vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium for improving overall reproductive health, L-carnitine, an amino acid, vitamins B6 and B12 and zinc for promoting men's fertility.
 12. A method of promoting fertility health in men comprising taking a dietary supplement of L-carnitine, Dong quai, green tea, vitamins B6, B 12, C, E, folate, zinc and selenium.
 13. A method of claim 12, wherein the dietary supplement further comprises the following components in percentages by weight: about 50% L-carnitine, about 17% green tea, about 8% Dong quai, about 23% vitamins C and E, about 1% zinc and less than about 1% of each selenium, vitamins B6 and B12 and folate.
 14. A method of promoting fertility health in men comprising taking a supplement having fertility promoting activity in males comprising in combination components in effective amounts of the following components present in proportions in parts by weights of about 10 to 80% L-carnitine, an amino acid, about 5 to 50% antioxidants, including green tea, vitamin C, vitamin E or selenium, about 0.1 to 10% zinc, about 0.01 to 1% ferulic acid, and about 0.01 to 10% vitamins B6, B12 and folate.
 15. A supplement having fertility promoting activity in males comprising in combination components in effective amounts of antioxidants, including green tea, vitamin C, E or selenium, L-carnitine, Dong quai, vitamins B6, B12, folate and zinc adapted for use as a treatment for promoting fertility in males.
 16. A method of promoting men's fertility by taking a new supplement, comprising antioxidants, green tea, vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium for improving overall reproductive health, L-carnitine, an amino acid for improving sperm quality, ferulic acid in Dong quai, vitamins B6, B12, folate and zinc for promoting men's fertility. 